Collision Avoidance

Question 1

Defensive driving is _____

Answer 1

driving in a manner that avoids collisions at all times regardless of who has the right-of-way.

Question 2

Defensive drivers possess the following characteristics:

Answer 2

(1) View safe driving as a personal responsibility.
(2) Recognize the dangers involved in driving a law
enforcement vehicle.
(3) Drive at a speed that is safe for existing conditions.
(4) Yield the right-of-way when necessary.
(5) Make exemplary and safe decisions while driving
.

Question 3

Failure to operate within the law and policy can result in _____

Answer 3

criminal prosecution, civil liability, and agency discipline.

Question 4

“Space cushion” refers to _____

Answer 4

the clear area surrounding a vehicle. It includes the front, rear, and sides of the vehicle.

Question 5

There are 5 critical components of vision:

Answer 5

(1) Focal point
(2) Central vision
(3) Peripheral vision
(4) Tunnel vision
(5) High visual horizon

Question 6

Vision: Focal point –

Answer 6

The specific point at which a driver is looking at any given moment.

Question 7

Vision: Central vision –

Answer 7

That part of a driver’s field of view that measures about 15 degrees around the focal point. Vision is sharpest within this area.

Question 8

Vision: Peripheral vision –

Answer 8

The part of the driver’s field of view that lies outside central vision and extends approximately 160 to 180 degrees horizontally, and 100 degrees vertically. Peripheral vision is especially useful for detecting moving hazards outside central vision.

Question 9

Vision: Tunnel vision –

Answer 9

With an increase in speed or stress, peripheral vision can significantly decrease, making it more difficult to detect objects outside central vision.

Question 10

Vision: High visual horizon –

Answer 10

The distance a driver looks ahead of the vehicle that fluctuates with speed and available roadway. High visual horizon encompasses using the full spectrum of vision including looking at a distance, laterally scanning, and identifying and linking components of a turn (high entry/apex/exit) in a smooth, arching manner.

Question 11

The average driver’s perception time is _____and their reaction time (which includes the decision-making process) is _____

Answer 11

0.75 seconds, 0.75 seconds

Question 12

Calculating the average driver’s perception/reaction time at 60 mph, a driver will travel 132 feet before _____

Answer 12

any action is taken.

Question 13

A safe minimum following distance at any speed is _____

Answer 13

at least 3 seconds of time between vehicles.

Question 14

A safe minimum following distance at 60 mph is _____

Answer 14

nearly 300 feet. (97.5 ft/sec x 3 sec = 293 feet

Question 15

Driver distractions include:

Answer 15

(1) Cellular telephone use
(2) Mobile Digital Computer
(3) Radio/Consolidated Patrol Vehicle Environment
(4) In-custody arrestee
(5) Partner officer
(6) Map/navigation
(7) Operation of Code 3 equipment
(8) Patrol activities/observations
(9) Unsecured objects within the vehicle
(10) Food/drink

Question 16

_____ pose one of the greatest risks for collisions faced by the law enforcement driver.

Answer 16

Intersections

Question 17

At an intersection, a defensive driver should always assume

Answer 17

every lane is occupied until they can see otherwise.

Question 18

When clearing an intersection, travel at a speed that _____

Answer 18

you can still stop if necessary.

Question 19

When clearing an intersection, look _____

Answer 19

left, front, right, then left again before proceeding.

Question 20

When clearing an intersection, and vehicles appear to be yielding the right-of-way, _____

Answer 20

make eye contact with other drivers or pedestrians. This does not guarantee right-of-way, still be prepared to stop.

Question 21

Fresh green traffic light considerations:

Answer 21

Pause and look left, front, right, and left again before proceeding into the intersection to allow for cross traffic which has failed to stop for the red light.

Question 22

Stale green light considerations:

Answer 22

(1) Anticipate the light cycling to yellow and be prepared to slow to a stop.
(2) Look both ways before proceeding into the intersection to allow for unanticipated cross traffic.

Question 23

Right turn considerations:

Answer 23

(1) When waiting for another vehicle directly ahead of you to make a right turn, do not assume the other driver will proceed when it is clear.
(2) Make eye contact with other drivers or pedestrians at the intersection who appear to be yielding the right-of-way.

Question 24

Left turn considerations:

Answer 24

(1) Keep the front wheels straight to avoid being pushed into oncoming traffic if hit from the rear.
(2) Make eye contact with other drivers or pedestrians at the intersection who appear to be yielding the right-of-way.
(3) Clear the oncoming traffic lane by lane before proceeding.

Question 25

Freeway merging considerations:

Answer 25

(1) Accelerate to match the speed of traffic.
(2) Signal
(3) Check mirror
(4) Check over your shoulder (blind spot)

Question 26

Freeway entering from the shoulder considerations:

Answer 26

(1) Use shoulder to accelerate and match the speed of traffic.
(2) Signal
(3) Check mirror
(4) Check over your shoulder (blind spot)

Question 27

High speed driving (loss of speed reference) considerations:

Answer 27

Checking your speedometer frequently will assist in maintaining appropriate speed awareness.

Question 28

Wrong-way driver considerations:

Answer 28

(1) Maintaining a high visual horizon is the best defense from being involved in a collision due to a wrong-way driver.
(2) Avoided using the leftmost lane as wrong-way drivers are often impaired or disoriented and operate in the leftmost lane.

Question 29

A large percentage of collisions occur while operating a vehicle _____

Answer 29

in reverse.

Question 30

Before backing a patrol vehicle, _____

Answer 30

exit the vehicle and visually check behind the vehicle if you are not certain the area is clear.

Question 31

While backing, continue to _____

Answer 31

look back until the vehicle stops.

Question 32

While backing, if the rear window is obstructed, _____

Answer 32

use all available equipment (mirrors/camera).

Question 33

Backing Hazards: At speeds greater then 10 mph,

Answer 33

(1) Avoid unless necessary.
(2) Back in a straight line when possible.
(3) Use minimum and smooth steering input if necessary.
(4) Be aware of obstacles and blind spots.

Question 34

Backing Hazards: Backing in the roadway,

Answer 34

(1) Use the shoulder of the road.
(2) Avoid erratic movements that could confuse other drivers.
(3) Back slowly and smoothly.
(4) Be aware of obstacles and blind spots.

Question 35

Backing Hazards: Backing onto the roadway,

Answer 35

(1) Be aware of cross traffic on sidewalk, shoulder, and roadway.
(2) Back slowly and smoothly.
(3) Be aware of obstacles and blind spots.

Question 36

Backing Hazards: Parking,

Answer 36

(1) When possible, back into a parking space when arriving rather than backing out when leaving.
(2) Consider a front-end swing and crowding the side of the stall you are backing towards when leaving.

Question 37

When worn properly, seat belts are _____

Answer 37

the single most effective way of protecting vehicle occupants from serious injury or death in a collision.

Question 38

Tactical Seat Belt Removal is _____

Answer 38

a quick and effective way of disengaging and retracting a seat belt to ensure it does not become entangled on items in the vehicle’s interior or on an officer’s equipment.

Question 39

Tactical Seat Belt Removal should be performed _____

Answer 39

every time the vehicle is coming to a stop and prior to exiting the vehicle.

Question 40

Airbags are designed to _____

Answer 40

cushion occupants in collisions.

Question 41

Airbags are _____ restraint systems and _____

Answer 41

supplemental, do not replace seat belts.

Question 42

To protect from personal injury during airbag deployment, _____

Answer 42

keep your hands on the steering wheel at the 8 o’clock and 4 o’clock positions when possible (balanced hand position).